MORRISTOWN -- Morristown’s police union said today it has concerns about enforcing a controversial federal immigration program that the mayor supports.

Those concerns did not allay Mayor Donald Cresitello’s support of the program that would deputize local police officers to act as immigration agents, even though he has fewer than seven weeks remaining in office.

Despite Cresitello’s plans to sign off on the program, it will be up to a new administration that is opposed to the initiative known as 287g to decide how to proceed. Tim Dougherty, who easily won the mayoral seat earlier this month, has said he wants officers to continue working with federal agents under the state Attorney General’s guidelines.

In a three-page letter recently sent to Cresitello, Detective Daniel Widdis, president of Morristown’s police union, outlined 23 questions and concerns, including requests for copies of documents of all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement training and policies referring to the program.

Widdis said a committee formed by the PBA is researching the program.

Some of his concerns include a lack of information about 287(g), including whether municipal funds would pay for the program and if the town’s insurance policy would cover officers in the program. He is also concerned that the police department could lose resources if it participates in the federal program.

One of his chief concerns is the possible shortage of officers on the streets responding to other local emergencies if officers are pulled to participate in the 287g program.

“What happens if you’re having a heart attack, and two officers are wrapped up in 287(g) and they can’t respond to you?” Widdis asked.

Cresitello, who has been advocating the program for two years and contends the union is “stalling” until his term is over, said he had asked to meet with the PBA and has contacted a town attorney to review the letter.

“The union is not stalling on this issue,” Widdis said. “But it’s clear (Cresitello) is not communicating with us.”

He added, “We don’t have enough information provided to us yet. You just don’t do things over night.”

In July, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which presides over ICE, announced that the Morristown Police Department, as well as the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, was among 11 agencies accepted into the 287(g) program.
A memorandum of agreement between the town and the DHS does not indicate that a union leader must also sign it, according to the memorandum and Matt Chandler, a DHS spokesman.

He said, as indicated in the agreement, that it requires the signature of two people: John Morton, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assistant secretary, and the signature of either the mayor, the governor or the chief of police, he said. However, the union must agree to allow the officers to remain in the program for at least two years.

If the union doesn’t agree to allow the officers to undergo training, it could jeopardize implementation of the program, according to the agreement and Chandler.

Immigrant rights groups have said the program would frighten immigrants from cooperating with police, and would harm relations with immigrants in its community.